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I chose the black suit for a reason. Gretchen met me at the front door of my grandmother’s house.
“Good morning.” She smiled.
“Hi, Gretchen. I’m having breakfast with my brother this morning.”
“Yes, ma’am. They’re in the dining room.”
I walked into the McCade formal dining room. The table was set with crystal and china. I gawked at the roses and tulips in china vases.
“Nessa.” Grammy’s smile was bright. She clutched Danny’s hand.
“Good morning, Grammy.” I walked over to her to kiss her cheek.
“Not going to tell me good morning?”
I rolled my eyes at Danny. “Good morning.”
“Seems like she’s not completely happy to see me.” He spoke to Grammy like I wasn’t sitting across from him.
“Oh, she is. I know she’s glad you’re here. It’s going to take so much pressure off her.”
My head whipped toward her. “What are you talking about?”
“Danny’s back. He’s a part of the family. He’s a McCade. Naturally, he should ta
ke over running the Warriors.”
My fingernails dug into my palms. “Why? Because he’s a guy? Because he has a penis you think he should take the team?”
Grammy’s mouth opened. “Nessa, that is crude.”
“Isn’t that what you’re saying? That Y chromosome he has makes him more qualified than me? Or is it the eight years of professional drinking and sleeping around that makes him a good asset to the franchise?”
The maid walked in with a tray of coffee on the silver service. I turned my nose at it. It smelled horrible.
“No thank you.” I waved her off when she tried to pour a cup for me.
“Nessa, I have never kept my opinion of your grandfather’s plan a secret. I’ve always thought it was ludicrous. It’s not in your nature, dear. You’re a creative spirit. You always have been. He only left you the team because he was out of options. Our options just increased.” She looked satisfied with herself.
I wasn’t going to back down. I thought about all the things that had happened this season. The way I had re-negotiated each and every contract on the team. The raises I had given the employees. The plans to redesign the facilities. The contract for the new practice field.
And they were winning. Seven games were in the W column. The guys were no doubt going far in the playoffs. I had even let myself dream we’d end up in New Orleans for the Super Bowl in February.
On top of that our ticket sales were up. I had signed two new network deals. For someone who wasn’t a business woman I had found my footing. I wasn’t giving up one inch to them.
“No.” I stared at them.
“What?” Danny looked startled.
“I said no.” I threw the linen napkin on the table. “You can’t have my team.”
Grammy chocked on her coffee. “Nessa!”
“I’m sorry Grammy. Or maybe I’m not sorry for saying it. But I was raised a warrior and this is me finally becoming one. If you want my team, you’re going to have to fight me for it.”
I stormed out of the family house. Past the portrait of my grandfather in the hall. Over the past couple of months I had done everything the opposite of that man, until this moment. I looked at him as I marched into the sun.
I pulled out my cell phone as I slid behind the wheel of my car.
